When you are diagnosed with cancer one of the hurdles you might face is a financial one. Bills can accumulate quickly so it might be a good idea to seek financial help early on after being diagnosed.
An excellent place to start is with the social worker in the hospital where you are being treated. They should have lists of local services and referral resources that can help you manage the financial burdens of cancer treatment. Your doctor or the oncology nurse in the doctor’s office can also prove to be a helpful resource
Don’t allow bills to go unpaid, they can pile up quickly. Having large numbers of unpaid bills will just add to your burden. Your main job is to get well; the added burden of unpaid bills will make that job more difficult.
Financial Support Resources
There are a number of organizations that can help you deal with the financial burdens you might face. In addition to the resources suggested by your doctor, nurse or social worker there are a number of excellent organizations that have been suggested by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO):
National service organizations
The Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (CFAC) is a group of national organizations that provide financial help to patients. CFAC educates patients and providers about existing resources through a searchable database of financial resources.
CancerCare’s financial assistance programs (800-813-4673) provide limited grants for people with ce